Cold Hell

Cold Hell is a thrilling, dark and gruesome 2017 movie that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Directed by the acclaimed German-born Turkish director Stefan Ruzowitzky, who is known for his Oscar-winning film The Counterfeiters, and written by Martin Ambrosch, this film showcases director Ruzowitzky's flair for building suspense and tension in the backdrop of a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Starring Violetta Schurawlow, Tobias Moretti, and Sammy Sheik, this film is a powerfully visceral journey into Vienna’s underbelly. Cold Hell takes you through the perilous journey of a strong and resilient female lead navigating her way through a world filled with horror and violence, yet demonstrating a strength of character and an unyielding spirit that makes her character arc deeply inspiring and utterly compelling.

Violetta Schurawlow plays the lead character, Ozge Dogruol, a Turkish-German taxi driver in Vienna who is also a Thai boxing amateur, showcasing combative spirit and grit, akin to her real-life personality. She leads a rather solitary life that is characterized by hard work and isolation. Her tough childhood and gruelling routines have shaped her into a tough-as-nails character who doesn't shy away from confrontations.

The plot twists into a mind-numbing thriller when unintentionally, Ozge becomes a witness to a horrendously gruesome murder from the vantage point of her apartment window. The psycho-killer, portrayed by Sammy Sheik, realizes that he has an unexpected observer. As the narrative unravels, you realize that she is within the crosshairs of the ice-cold, calculating and relentless murderer, and her life is in grave danger.

Coming to her aid is washed-up cop Inspector Christian Steiner, played by Tobias Moretti, who is an epitome of cynicism moulded by his own traumatic life experiences. He initially brushes off Ozge as merely a spoilt brat with a chip on her shoulder, but as events turn dire, he begins to grasp the depth of the situation. Their unlikely alliance forms the crux of the story. They are two people brought together by circumstances, yet marked by the same spirit of unyielding resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The depiction of Vienna in Cold Hell is starkly different from the typical romantically charged rendition of the city. Instead, it provides a harsh, gritty and realistic portrayal of its underbelly through powerful imagery. The narrow lanes, seedy bars and clubs, dilapidated apartment buildings, and dingy alleys help to create a palpable sense of unease that is woven intrinsically throughout the narrative and complements the fast and gripping plotline.

Cold Hell also tastefully combines elements of social criticism, illustrating xenophobia and the treatment of immigrants in a foreign land, subtly incorporated into the narrative. The plot uses these elements not only as an add-on but artifacts that escalate the stakes and tensions in the narrative, thereby enhancing the richness and the depth of the storyline.

Cold Hell stands out for its deviation from regular horror-thriller mechanics. Instead of relying solely on the suspense surrounding the identity of the killer, it explores the intriguing dynamics of the lead characters. Where their lives intertwine in their shared history of trauma and torment, where their resilience comes forth as their desperation escalates, and where, beyond the fear and survival instincts, a deeper understanding and a strained friendship develop.

The performances by Violetta Schurawlow and Tobias Moretti are absolutely compelling. Schurawlow portrays Ozge's hardened exterior and her vulnerable layers underneath with considerable depth. Meanwhile, Moretti delivers a masterful performance as Inspector Steiner, marking an intricate portrayal of a man filled with regret and bitterness while struggling to do the right thing.

Cold Hell is a brutal, riveting, and gripping thriller with a gritty and realistic portrayal of circumstances and character development. This intense, edge-of-your-seat ride promises to leave audiences utterly spellbound by its compelling narrative. This film is a must-watch for people who appreciate the nuanced undercurrents of realistic thrillers, and are not afraid to explore a more sinister side of cinematics.